Whirligig (torture)

A whirligig is a punitive or torture contraption comprising a suspended cage-like device.^[1] The victim would be placed in the cage, which was spun violently in order to cause severe nausea.

This was used as a military punishment, as by the British Army. For example, in Tangiers, the whirligig was reportedly used on women, by whom it was more feared than the pillory, stocks and wooden horse.^[2]

References

• Curious Punishments of Bygone Days at Getchwood

Notes

1. Websters Dictionary (1913 edition)
2. Justice and Discipline in Tangier and throughout the British Army